Now must I needs think how they shall wonder when they come to
Burgdale and find out how happy it is to dwell there.'
'Surely,' said Face-of-god, 'thus shall we do, whatever cometh of it.
But, friend of the wood, as to thralls, there be none such in the
Dale, but therein are all men friends and neighbours, and even so
shall ye be.'
And he fell a-musing, when he bethought him of how little he had
known of sorrow.
But that man, when he beheld the happy faces of the Burgdalers, and
hearkened to their friendly voices, and understood what they said,
and he also was become strong with the meat and drink, he bowed his
head adown and wept a long while; and they meddled not with him, till
he turned again to them and said:
'Since ye are in arms, and seem to be seeking your foemen, I suppose
ye wot that these tyrants and man-quellers will fall upon you in
Burgdale ere the summer is well worn.'
'So much we deem indeed,' said Face-of-god, 'but we were fain to hear
the certainty of it, and how thou knowest thereof.'
Said the man: 'It was six moons ago that I fled, as I have told you;
and even then it was the common talk amongst our masters that there
were fair dales to the south which they would overrun.
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